Chapter 889: Words from the Heart

889. Chapter 889: Words from the Heart

Before Wang Zhaojing could speak, Xin Qitao was the first to bark a reprimand: "What do you mean barging in like this? Have you no sense of propriety? Wait outside!"

But the servant, his face full of grievance, protested: "Young master, didn't the old master give orders? He said I must keep an eye on you wherever you go. This humble one dares not disobey—I'd be punished when I get back."

"Shut your mouth!" Xin Qitao snapped in irritation, then turned with a rueful smile and said, "I must apologize to Brother Wang for this unsightly display. This Xin Geng was sent by my father. His nature is indeed as blunt as his name, but he is somewhat lacking in proper decorum."

"No harm, no harm. If he wants to come in, let him come in." Under these circumstances, Wang Zhaojing could only nod and agree with a smile.

As he said this, the household guard who had been blocking Xin Geng looked somewhat troubled. Wang Zhaojing swept a faint glance over the scene. When handling matters elsewhere, Zhao Jin and the others would state their demands directly, but Wang Zhaojing, coming from a wealthy background after all, worked his craft in silence—one had to learn to read expressions and discern intent.

Seeing Wang Zhaojing's attitude, the guard at the gate had no choice but to let the man in. Wang Zhaojing was just about to greet Xin Qitao when his movements paused for a moment; only then did he smile and invite him in.

"The atmosphere in Xuzhou is truly different. Our dynasty esteems agriculture and disdains commerce, yet this esteem and disdain are reflected only in taxation. The peasant households toil bitterly, yet their taxes are exceedingly heavy, while those merchants sit back and reap outrageous profits with no one to question them. Not collecting commercial taxes has actually become a mark of scholarly refinement and honor. The result is the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Xuzhou's approach, however, esteems commerce but does not coddle it—this brings great benefit to all sides!" The moment he entered the courtyard, Xin Qitao could not help but sigh with admiration.

But at this moment, Wang Zhaojing seemed somewhat distracted. He gave no reaction after Xin Qitao finished speaking, and only when the other man looked over at him in surprise did he respond, hurriedly replying with a smile: "At the founding of the dynasty, there was a county in Shanxi that collected commercial taxes in excess of the quota, and for this, the Great Ancestor punished them severely, saying such harsh extortion was a great scourge upon the people. There was also a famous minister collecting taxes in Jiangnan who placed a wooden chest before the government office gates and invited the common folk to pay whatever they wished—this was instead passed down as an admirable tale. When collecting commercial taxes becomes something that sullies one's good name, such a situation is only natural."

Wang Zhaojing casually cited these two historical anecdotes, but then, his face full of apology, he smiled and said, "I must beg Brother Xin's forgiveness. I've just recalled an urgent matter that I must attend to right now."

Provincial Graduate Xin Qitao was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Official business takes precedence. Brother Wang, go and attend to your work. We shall meet again another day."

"No need, no need. The wine and dishes are already prepared. This urgent matter will be dealt with very quickly—it won't even take half an incense stick's time. Please, Brother Xin, go ahead and wait at the table. I will join you shortly. My apologies, my apologies." Wang Zhaojing smiled warmly and spoke with great attentiveness.

The surprise on Graduate Xin's face faded. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Then I shall go and wait first. Brother Wang, do not rush—just come once your business is properly settled."

Wang Zhaojing cupped his hands in salute and strode quickly toward the rear residence. Graduate Xin smiled and shook his head, then glanced back at the wooden-faced servant following him and walked toward the main hall, muttering to himself, "No matter how lofty and pure one is, one should still keep a few attendants in the inner quarters. One cannot attend to every single matter personally. Why put oneself through such hardship?"

Xin Qitao had visited this residence more than once. Wang Zhaojing had no page boys or maidservants to serve him—he had to handle everything himself. Outside, there were household guards on duty. During the day, he would go to the council hall or the Cloud Mountain Firm, where there were clerks and managers to assist with paperwork, and that was all. Every time the two of them drank and gathered here, they would have a waiter from a nearby tavern deliver the dishes, and they would use Graduate Xin's personal attendant to pour the wine. Considering the wealth and power of the Zhao Camp, or even just the financial standing of the Wang family itself, this was far too shabby and austere.

The wine and dishes were already laid out on the table. A white broth bubbled and rolled on a small clay stove, surrounded by sliced mutton, several dishes of dipping sauces, and pickled vegetables. This was actually Zhao Jin's preferred way of eating. Because it stayed piping hot throughout the cold winter weather, it had quickly become popular, and people hosting banquets all liked to set up a hot pot.

Wang Zhaojing's urgent matter was indeed just as he had described. It took no time at all to finish. Xin Qitao had only just sat down when Wang Zhaojing was already entering the room.

"There's nothing to do tonight, why were you in such a hurry? Your robes are all askew." Xin Qitao teased with a smile. Wang Zhaojing was slightly out of breath, and his informal Daoist robe was indeed a bit crooked.

"You've caught me at a bad moment." Wang Zhaojing straightened his clothes slightly and sat down at the table.

After exchanging a few polite courtesies, the two began to drink. Both Wang Zhaojing and Graduate Xin were very moderate in their drinking, though neither had a poor tolerance for alcohol. While it couldn't be said they drained every cup, they still drank with gusto. This time, however, when Xin Qitao first offered a toast, Wang Zhaojing politely declined; then when Wang Zhaojing returned the toast, Graduate Xin also only took a small sip. The atmosphere at the banquet was rather heavy and subdued.

"Brother Xin, have you eaten this before?"

"Brother Wang, you must be joking. Kaifeng is also a great thoroughfare that gathers goods from all directions—how could it not have this? Besides, I have also been to the capital several times, and this hot pot is even more popular there. That said, whether in Kaifeng or the capital, what I've eaten there is nowhere near as fresh, delicious, and pleasing to the palate as it is here."

Wang Zhaojing smiled and nodded, then continued, "To be honest with you, Brother Xin, when this hot pot first appeared here, I also dismissed it. I thought, even if it's good, how could it possibly surpass what they have in the capital? I never expected that once I tried it, I realized it was completely different. Do you know why, Brother Xin? The reason the hot pot here is so delicious is because my eldest brother made improvements to it."

Hearing this, Xin Qitao was stunned. He asked in astonishment, "Captain Zhao actually understands such trivial arts?"

"Brother Xin, my eldest brother is a man of innate wisdom. To say he is omniscient and omnipotent would be an exaggeration, but my eldest brother is truly extraordinary, a man of great vision and bold strategy. His future prospects are limitless. Brother Xin, I will be so bold as to repeat myself once more: I invite you to come and assist my eldest brother, so that together we may achieve a great cause."

"Brother Wang, have I not said before that there is no need to bring this matter up again?" Graduate Xin, who had just picked up his wine cup, set it down once more.

Now that the topic had been broached, a mixture of mockery and self-deprecation surfaced on Xin Qitao's face. He spoke leisurely: "I fear this matter is merely your own wishful thinking, my dear brother. If there were truly a sincere desire for my help, why does Captain Zhao remain as steady as Mount Tai, never making a move? Could it be that he truly believes himself to be a sage ruler or an enlightened sovereign, thinking that the moment others lay eyes on him, they will immediately kowtow and pledge allegiance?"

These words made Wang Zhaojing freeze. His expression grew rather complicated. He simply stood up and said, "If Brother Xin truly intends to assist my elder brother, then I shall go and invite my elder brother here right now. Shall we discuss this great matter together?"

Seeing Wang Zhaojing so solemn and agitated, Xin Qitao smiled bitterly and waved his hands repeatedly, gesturing for Wang Zhaojing to sit down. He merely said, "We two brothers are drinking and conversing. Why must you bring up such mood-killing matters? Sit down and drink, sit down and drink."

Though they said they were drinking, when their wine cups touched, each man only moistened his lips. Xin Qitao let out a long breath and said, "He Village is so bustling during the day, yet so extraordinarily quiet at night. This feeling is truly wondrous. What's even more remarkable is that here, one can truly leave one's doors unlocked at night, and during the day, truly find lost items untouched on the road. Impressive!"

A smile had just begun to tug at the corner of Wang Zhaojing's mouth when Xin Qitao continued, "In ancient times, achieving such a state relied on sage rulers and famous ministers. For He Village to achieve this, it relies on harsh punishments and strict laws. Where the law has no explicit provision, the punishment is a private one. How very interesting!"

After a moment of silence, a smile also tugged at the corner of Wang Zhaojing's mouth. He asked with a rather meaningful tone, "Brother Xin has been in Xuzhou, been here with us, for so long, yet this is the first time you have spoken with such an attitude. Perhaps this is truly what is in Brother Xin's heart?"

The back-and-forth had drained the conversation of any casual atmosphere. Xin Qitao was also taken aback for a moment, a bitter smile surfacing on his face. Just as he was about to explain, he tilted his head as if listening intently, then said slowly, "He Village is so quiet at night that the moment there is any clamor or disturbance, it can be heard very clearly."

The road between Xuzhou city and He Village was now very easy to travel, so returning from the city could hardly be called exhausting. After arriving home, Xu Zhenzhen and Mu Shulan, with uncharacteristic curiosity, pestered Zhao Jin for details about Chen Sheng's wedding. However, the ceremony had been truly simple, and there was not much to tell.

What delighted Xu Zhenzhen and Mu Shulan was that from now on, they would have someone in He Village with whom they could socialize. Although there were many women of various backgrounds in He Village, there were virtually none who could interact with the Zhao family as equals and whom Zhao Jin's two wives could befriend with peace of mind. Chen Sheng's wife was, naturally, one of their own.

They spoke of the rumors outside—that Zhao Jin was licentious and shameless, keeping dozens of women in his inner quarters, even including women from foreign lands. When this was mentioned, Xu Zhenzhen and Mu Shulan both burst into laughter.

Zhao Jin's real life in the inner quarters was exceedingly dull. After chatting idly with his wife and children for a while, the conversation turned to serious matters. The Shandong Smelling Incense Sect had reorganized, and it had become very difficult to infiltrate or learn any related news. But after all, they had captured so many people who knew the inside story, and some had even voluntarily defected to their side. Through constant probing and inquiries, they still managed to obtain relevant information. Moreover, the canal transport network remained neutral, so Xu Hongru could do nothing about those sect members on the canal. Although the canal transport sect members were also deeply hostile toward the Zhao Camp, it was still not difficult to extract information from them.

Mu Shulan relied on these recently captured Shandong sect members, then used her old connections, and combined this with the cooperation of Lei Cai and the Li family in Linqing Prefecture, to gradually re-infiltrate Shandong, bit by bit.

The information they could currently obtain was that the Shandong Smelling Incense Sect's strength had greatly increased. This increase in strength naturally meant a massive surge in the number of sect followers. Across the realm, in the two directly-administered capital regions and over ten provinces, no place was more miserable than Shandong. In the canal basin, water could not be diverted for irrigation. The three eastern prefectures had to bear the burden of supplying firewood and fodder to the capital, while the three western prefectures had to raise horses for the capital. On top of this, the Liaodong war tax and other levies were still not reduced. Layer upon layer of oppression, layer upon layer of exploitation—the common people suffered unbearably, their families bankrupt and ruined. Those on the periphery still had somewhere to flee to escape famine, but many people had absolutely nowhere to run. In their despair, they could only seek a little illusory comfort from gods and Buddhas, praying for bliss in the next life. Yet the temples and Daoist abbeys were either established for the wealthy and noble or were too busy fending for themselves. Only this Smelling Incense Sect could penetrate deep into the common folk, organizing the people to burn incense, providing mutual aid and relief. Naturally, its followers swelled.

Xu Zhenzhen also knew Mu Shulan's little scheme—it was nothing more than using this intelligence about the Smelling Incense Sect to exchange a few more words with Zhao Jin. Mu Shulan had matters related to the Smelling Incense Sect to discuss, and Xu Zhenzhen could say even more about the Xu family's coal and iron business, but she could not be bothered to quibble over it. She simply sat to the side, listening with a smile.

Happy New Year, everyone. Thank you to the old friends from Chuangshi, "Hua Xiao Yun Bai," "Tian Mi Gan Zhe," and "Yuan Heng Li Zhen," and to the Qidian friend "Jue Dui Dian" for their tips. Hua Xiao Yun Bai, I've been married for over a year now. Thank you all for your subscriptions, monthly tickets, and tips. Thank you for your continued support all along. Please continue to support Old Bai in the Year of the Goat. Thank you, everyone.